"The Rise of True Crime is a magnificent achievement and deserves to become a standard work. Its unmatched range and clarity explain not only where true crime has been but also where it might go in the future. Essential reading for anyone interested in the genre."
David Schmid, Associate Professor of English at State University of New York, Buffalo, Author of Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture
"Despite (or because of) its great popularity, true crime has always been scorned by serious critics. In this deeply informed and rewarding book, this centuries-old literary genre finally gets it due. Tracing the modern history of murder narratives from the pulp magazines of the 1920s to the true crime blogs of today, Murley, a deft and insightful analyst of these titillating texts, makes a powerful case for their cultural and sociological significance. One of those rare works of scholarship that manages to be both erudite and entertaining, The Rise of True Crime is a must-read, not only for fans of the genre but also for anyone seeking to better understand our dark fascination with stories of real-life murder and mayhem."
Harold Schechter, Professor of English at Queens College of the City University of New York, Author of several historical true-crime texts, including Deviant, Deranged, and The Devil's Gentleman: Privilege, Poison, and the Trial that Ushered in the Twentieth Century.
David Schmid
"The Rise of True Crime is a magnificent achievement and deserves to become a standard work. Its unmatched range and clarity explain not only where true crime has been but also where it might go in the future. Essential reading for anyone interested in the genre."
Harold Schechter
"Despite (or because of) its great popularity, true crime has always been scorned by serious critics. In this deeply informed and rewarding book, this centuries-old literary genre finally gets it due. Tracing the modern history of murder narratives from the pulp magazines of the 1920s to the true crime blogs of today, Murley, a deft and insightful analyst of these titillating texts, makes a powerful case for their cultural and sociological significance. One of those rare works of scholarship that manages to be both erudite and entertaining, The Rise of True Crime is a must-read, not only for fans of the genre but also for anyone seeking to better understand our dark fascination with stories of real-life murder and mayhem."